Scientific Research on Science Communication
Science communication is more than relying on hunches and intuitions. To be an effective science communicator, one needs to base their understanding on scientific evidence. Here you will find a small sample of scientific research exploring science communication and social media.
Monsters versus Mobs: A Call to Unleash the Scientist/Narrator Hybrids
The scientific community and its genetic engineers need to incubate more scientist/narrator hybrids. Scientists need public support, and before the public will support various science projects, the scientific community has to embrace story-telling and creative communication based on enthusiasm, understanding, and compassion. If the scientific community wants public support, scientists need to take sides on public science issues while employing charismatic communicators able to connect with people’s values. Scientists cannot remain isolated while expecting the public to embrace new research. Doing good work is not enough.
Opening Minds with Minimal Fatalities: An Argument for Skepticism
“There is no such thing as a skeptic. It is not something that someone is, but rather something someone does. People have moments of thinking skeptically, but no individual is always a skeptic. Skepticism is a continuous process of being aware of not only irrationality of others, but also one’s own internal biases.” ~Knigel Holmes
Genetically-Modified Narrative Writing: A Few Examples of Narrative Writing Covering GMO Issues
A while back in GMO Skepti-Forum, Marc Brazeau asked for quality examples of narrative writing and the contents of that thread is worth sharing with you all. If you all have some more examples, please let me know, and I’ll add them to our library.
Generically Memeified Organisations
“In the end, if the public is concerned about companies such as Monsanto, rejecting science and shunning scientific reasoning is counter-productive. Controversies within the scientific community are not justification to abandon science, but rather further reason to encourage scientific literacy and reasoning. Not only does the public need to be skeptical of scientific institutions, but also of those who manipulate the public by claiming scientific authority and credibility. Although claimed facts may fit a worldview or ideology, these claims need critical analysis. Condensed forms of media such as memes reduce scientific ideas to commodities, replacing ventures into scientific reasoning; therefore, the public cannot rely on echo chambers and social knowledge, but must have the inclination to question messages analytically. Analogical and empathetical reasoning have advantages, yet neither serves well enough when evaluating scientific claims. Analytical reasoning reveals the deception of fallacious analogies as well as appeals to empathy. Honing analytical tools may be demanding; however, the patience is rewarded with an injection of trustworthy information and a higher immunity to thought viruses.” ~Knigel Holmes
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